2022 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Luke Fortner





  • Luke Fortner, 6-3/302

  • Center

  • Kentucky


  • Luke Fortner Scouting Report
    By Charlie Campbell

    Strengths:
  • Tough blocker
  • Strong at the point of attack
  • Functional strength
  • Good technique
  • Intelligent
  • Fundamentally sound
  • Good hand placement
  • Quality length for an interior blocker
  • Good anchor against bull rushes
  • Keeps his weight behind his toes
  • Recoverability
  • Quick to adjust to games up front
  • Durable
  • Safe pick
  • Experienced
  • Versatile could also play some guard
  • Should be able to compete quickly
  • Leader
  • Hard worker
  • Football character




  • Weaknesses:
  • Has some skill-set limitations
  • Not a great athlete
  • Lacks speed and quickness
  • Enough size but not big


  • Summary: Fortner saw action as a freshman and sophomore in 2017 and 2018 while working his way into becoming Kentucky’s starting center. In 2019, he had an excellent season, allowing only one sack on the season. Fortner returned his senior year in 2020 and then took advantage of the extra season of eligibility to return in 2021. Over his two senior years, Fortner was a dependable blocker for the Wildcats, opening holes for running back Chris Rodriguez and protecting his quarterback well.

    Fortner looks like a future NFL starter who could earn a starting job quickly as a pro. He is very tough at the point of attack and intelligent. He does a nice job of reading defenses and adjusting to games and blitzes up front. Fortner shows advanced technique in terms of hand placement and strong fundamentals to bend at the knee and avoid letting his weight get over his toes. For an interior offensive lineman, Fortner has quality size and enough length.



    Fortner shows the ability to anchor in pass protection, and he can hold his ground against bull rushes from heavy defensive tackles. He won’t be a liability taking on 3-4 defenses with a good zero-technique nose tackle who aims to collapse the pocket. Fortner can sink his hips and will strongly hold his ground. Executing double teams with his guards will not be an issue either, and Fortner should be a helpful blocker to execute double teams on problematic interior linemen.

    Fortner is strong run blocker at the point of attack. He can control and manipulate defenders plus displays good technique for hitting combo blocks or getting to the second level. Fortner will not be overwhelming as an interior run blocker who blasts defenders off the line, but he is well-rounded, tough and effective.

    Fortner might be able to play some guard as a pro, but that is not ideal. He is a natural center. If there is an injury, his team could get away with playing him at guard to finish out a game, but he’s a better player at center.

    In the 2022 NFL Draft, Fortner could be a third- or fourth-round pick, and he has serious potential to develop into a starter.



    Player Comparison: Ben Jones. Some team sources said Humphrey looked like a bigger version of Jones. Jones has put together a solid NFL career for the Texans and Titans since being a mid-round pick, and Humphrey could follow a similar path.






    RELATED LINKS:


    2022 NFL Mock Draft: Charlie’s | Walt’s


    2022 NFL Draft Prospect Rankings


    2022 NFL Draft Scouting Reports








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